We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.ContinueFind out more

‘But he struggled instinctively like an animal under a net, and this blind struggle threw him out into a field.’

‘And, looking at the paltry haul in their nets and at their discarded small fish, they know it is a way of life their sons will not share with them.’

‘He fished with a golden net drawn by cords woven of purple and scarlet threads.’

‘It was using a big chunk of this material as a net.’

1.1A piece of net supported by a frame at the end of a handle, used for catching fish or insects.

‘In the margins of the lake, I taught little Felix to hunt with an insect net.’

‘First, there is a series of computer composite images that depict different aspects of field research, such as catching insects with nets.’

‘Sampling was conducted with a standard insect sweep net; each sample consisted of 100 sweeps made in a 180° arc.’

‘We placed an insect sweep net over each aggregation, and because of the extreme inactivity of the gathered wasps, escapes were uncommon.’

‘Other items, such as insect nets, were in short supply in the theater.’

‘If necessary, use an insect net to guard against the adults flying away.’

‘Insects were transferred from sweep nets to labeled plastic bags, frozen, and sorted to morphospecies.’

‘Using sweep nets and aspirators the researchers collect insects and take them to a lab in Buenos Aires.’

1.2The total amount of fish caught in one session or expedition:

‘good nets of roach, chub, and perch’

‘Frank Atkinson led with a fine 27 lb 10 oz net of skimmers, rudd and small carp taken alternating worm, meat and pellet.’

‘Good sport was to be had at Carpvale on Sunday where the club match on the front pond was won with a fine 75 lb net of carp from peg 70.’

‘A recent club match was won with a fine 25 lb net of bream, skimmers and tench.’

‘Mike Dall won with a creditable net of perch scaling 4lb 4oz to restore some male pride.’

2A structure consisting of a net supported on a frame, forming the goal in games such as football:

‘Wales did find the net in the 32nd minute’

‘Another Kelly free extended the lead before Joe Higgins shot to the net for the game's only goal.’

‘However, they had to wait till late in the game to find the net.’

‘The Soviet Union basketball team displayed tremendous nerve to find the net in the disputed last seconds of the 1972 Olympic final.’

‘In the second half BCA came more into the game, but could only find the net once.’

‘In a much better second half performance Oaks piled on the pressure and had the majority of the play but could not find the net.’

‘Following a run of six successive wins, Paul Simpson's men have taken just one point from their last two matches and failed to find the net in both games.’

‘Although she could not find the net in the match against Zambia, in which she came on as a a substitute in the second half, Nonoh says she is hungry for goals.’

‘He has the burst of pace of a scalded cat and the occasions in a summer when he sends the ball scudding low to the opposition net late in the game are a reliable index of his wellbeing.’

‘They have never failed to find the net at Boundary Park with Wadsworth in charge and have taken 14 points from a possible 18.’

‘He's seen him picking footballs out of the net in Highfield Road with alarming frequency.’

‘Unable to find the net in either game, goals remain a problem.’

‘Storm's failure to find the net on a consistent basis is all the more surprising considering the proven track records of their offensive players.’

‘They conceded four goals, but were unable to find the net.’

‘He proceeded to turn his man and find the net for a great goal to level up the scoring after twelve minutes.’

‘Try as they might neither side could find the net and the game eventually went into the dreaded penalty shoot out.’

‘Also, any powerplay unit can fall out of the habit of doing some basics, such as putting the puck on goal and crashing the net.’

‘This resulted in the ‘Goal of the Match’, their young forward beating three defenders before firing a perfect cross goal shot into the net.’

‘I feel we deserved to go in at half-time at least goal up, but we didn't find the net.’

‘In their 48 fixtures so far, the Blues have failed to find the net on just five occasions.’

‘Football nets were used in goals for the first time, for a match in Bolton.’

2.1A net supported on a cord between two posts to divide the playing area in tennis, badminton, volleyball, etc.

‘Rachel hit the volleyball back over the net, and glanced up only to see Jade leaning against the post, a silver knife in her hand.’

‘But even here, on the Island, the makeshift homes of the country's dispossessed fill every space unoccupied by sunbeds and volleyball nets.’

‘Once at the flashlight tag meeting spot, between two poles ground into the sand on the lake where a volleyball net should have hung, we picked teams.’

‘At the Baghdad correction center, about 200 delinquents share four dormitories built around a square courtyard cut by a volleyball net.’

‘Surely one of those volleyball nets at Jeanne-Mance Park could be lowered for the kickers out there.’

‘If it got too hot inside, there was a volleyball net set up in a courtyard.’

‘We had put up the volleyball net and played pool volleyball.’

‘Our lead vehicle became stuck in a volleyball net.’

‘He nodded and, with one last grin at her, jogged over to the volleyball net.’

‘There were volleyball nets set up across the large room, and our teacher, Mr. Stetgon, quickly pulled us into four groups and assigned us to a court.’

‘A high-pitched voice yelled as a tiny blonde hit the volleyball over the net.’

‘Gone will be the trampolines, table tennis tables and badminton nets that occupy the main auditorium on weekday nights when there is no concert.’

‘You could also try rigging up a net to play volleyball, a hoop for basketball or invite some of your children's friends round for a game of rounders.’

‘For entertainment, we set up a volleyball net, put up a set of makeshift soccer goals, and had a wide variety of board games.’

‘When her kids were growing up, Dale Kephart always had volleyball and badminton nets set up in the backyard.’

‘The collectors look like oversized volleyball nets.’

‘Finally, Mike, James, and Violet gave me a net for the volleyball.’

‘Sure enough, come noon on the day of the event, there were volleyball nets set up at the base of the hill, with teams aplenty ready to play some ball.’

‘We were all in agreement and began to set up the volleyball net.’

‘Before they took it away I suggested putting up two basketball posts and nets with goal posts underneath them like most other areas have but my pleas have fallen on deaf ears.’

2.2Cricket A strip of ground enclosed by a net, for batting and bowling practice:

[as modifier]‘a full net practice’

‘He had observed me bowling well during the nets and so thought that I could try my hand this time in a regular game.’

‘The wet weather prevented the curator from producing proper practice nets and batting practice has been limited to a few minutes on the eve of the match.’

‘He was initially put up in a room whose windows faced the building that housed the indoor net practice facilities.’

‘Following his slow start to the season, Strauss was then given the opportunity of extra practice, ahead of the Bangladesh series, when he went to the school nets to face some bowling from the pupils.’

‘You can do only so much bowling in the nets, and I just have to see if they are willing to take the risk for the third Test.’

2.3A safety net:

‘he felt like a tightrope-walker without a net’

3[mass noun]A fine fabric with a very open weave:

[as modifier]‘net curtains’

‘Fabrics are given the technological touch with the use of rubberised velvet and wool, mirrored wool crepe, stretch net, organza and spider beaded georgette.’

‘An eclectic mix of feminine flounce and frill, with models in georgettes, net and chiffons was the highlight.’

‘It was only then that blue flashing lights were seen through the white net curtains of the lounge.’

‘Another variation to try is to place a thin voile net over the window, or draw any transparent curtains.’

‘Pressing is used on tailored and lined suits, especially on men's, on wool, on silk and some rayon, on net, and on pile fabrics.’

‘All I can say about the Skinners was that they had no net curtains and a pornographic oil-painting above the fire-place until the police made them stop.’

‘The lower part of the window had been painted white and net curtains shielded the upper part.’

‘For the light source, use a sunlit window with a thin voile net to soften the brightness of the sun.’

‘Layers of stiff net petticoats went under taffeta strapless dresses that made waists look tiny.’

‘Others may have swished into the hall wearing beaded evening dresses of chiffon and netting, while others may have been swathed in silk and satin with plump sleeves of net and lace.’

‘In the hotel room there are no venetian blinds, but the white net curtains belly and fold in the breeze of the open window.’

‘We had no net curtains then, the neighbours always looked in when she turned on the lights.’

‘The British Red Cross won the charity shop section with its festoon of red net, hearts and open book displaying information about Valentine's Day.’

‘Is this why you've been investing in some net curtains for your kitchen?’

‘Cut the front stay from a firmly woven cotton blend for light control or from mediumweight, girdle-like power net fabric for firm control.’

‘Every surface was covered with satin, velvet, crinoline and net.’

‘It tries to take us beyond the yellowing net curtains of their cramped tower-block flats, and into their living-rooms and bedrooms.’

‘Several pieces also feature attractive patterns, such as wide or fine vertical stripes, as well as net, square and doughnut designs.’

‘Farrelly played a leading role when Bolton were promoted to the Premiership in 2001, netting the first goal in their play-off final win over Preston.’

‘Andy Beckwith scored a hat-trick for Wyke, while Mohammed Jahangir netted his first goal for Heaton.’

‘Fowler may have only netted six goals this season, but he has a handful of assists to his mane as well, and has also curbed his aggression, only picking up a single yellow card.’

‘Aiming for the fourth title of the season the local favourite netted a goal in each session, outplaying its bemused opponent.’

‘Gerry netted three goals during the tournament and his impressive form certainly caught the attention of the host nation and a year later he was on his way back to Spain to join Real Mallorca.’

‘The home side had a lot of possession but rarely threatened the visitors in the final third and slumped to a defeat as the Liverpudlians netted a goal in each half.’

‘When the opportunity arose in the 27th minute Andre Emmanuel pounced on a loose ball and netted the first goal.’

‘The Blackburn fans were jubilant but to general surprise Wanderers came away to net the ball twice in as many minutes.’

‘Simon Parke netted his sixth goal in six games in the win over Blyth Spartans and Mark Stuart grabbed his eighth of the season.’

‘Whilst they are hardly prolific scorers netting only six goals, their defence has done well in only conceding eight goals the least number of goals conceded, a sorry sight when your team cannot find goals.’

‘But the 26-year-old Spartak Moscow midfielder deserved his stroke of luck as he netted his fifth international goal.’

‘Earlier in the day, Naboye hammered Mungwi 3-0 with Ackim Tembo netting his fourth goal making him the tournament's top scorer.’

‘Shanahan already has scored 20 goals after netting only 31 goals and 58 points last season.’

‘The Dutch international has netted a club-record 22 goals in 23 Champions League appearances for United.’

‘Witness reports also claimed that on-loan Charlton teenager Randolph later incited City fans by signalling the score after Accrington had netted their second goal.’

‘Gilbert Mushangazhike, the visitors' leading goal scorer, netted twice in the first half, but missed a penalty in the second half.’

‘McCourt rounded three defenders before firing home and then went on another mazy run that ended with fellow substitute Townson netting his 17th goal of the season.’

‘Midway through the second half, former Bantams skipper Lee Duxbury netted his first goal for the Throstle Nest outfit, again from a Stamer assist.’

‘Ryan Robinson netted a consolation goal for the Huddersfield side from the penalty spot but it was too late to prevent Crag from taking all three points.’

3Cover with a net:

‘we fenced off a rabbit-proof area for vegetables and netted the top’

Phrases

slip (or fall) through the net

Escape from or be missed by something intended to catch or deal with one:

‘the girl slipped through the net of all the care agencies’

‘But a small minority of traders, who attempt to sell their cars privately to avoid paying tax, slip through the net.’

‘But he added that it was important to try and catch those who were falling through the net.’

‘That is the only way for us to see exactly where our reforms are working, and where they are not working, to make sure that no pupil slips through the net.’

‘He would attempt to make sure no promising Scot, regardless of age, could slip through the net and elude the SFA's coaching infrastructure.’

‘I don't think anybody has the answer but people do need to be caught before they slip through the net.’

‘‘We always use employment agencies which carry out checks on supply staff, and I would urge all heads to make sure they are doing the same to avoid staff slipping through the net as it could happen,’ he said.’

‘He added that if they were not fully implemented ‘we will continue to have sub-standard systems, while people will slip through the net and avoid detection’.’

‘And obviously, a great deal did slip through the net.’

‘There are, of course, implications of having a more flexible education system - some people might simply just slip through the net and evade education entirely, which isn't good.’

‘The move means that troublemakers who are known to the police but have slipped through the net so far because they have avoided arrest can now be banned.’

Origin

Old English net, nett, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch net and German Netz.

‘It is not known whether the Irishmen would sell at 300p, though this would net them a profit of 125 million on their investment.’

1.2net something down/off/outExclude a non-net amount, such as tax, when making a calculation, in order to reduce the amount left to a net sum:

‘the scrap value should be netted off against the original purchase price’

‘The Respondents concluded that such liabilities had not been netted off.’

‘The flows are netted out for each year, and discounted by the going interest rate.’

‘Newsagents say their gross bills have jumped by 30% this month, and that's money that stays with the and Network until the returns are netted off.’

‘Competitive tendering as an alternative to negotiated contracts has been shown in a number of contexts to yield cost savings (for a given level of service) before administrative charges are netted out of 20% on average.’

‘If you try to net them down they tell us two things.’

Origin

Middle English (in the senses ‘clean’ and ‘smart’): from French net neat; see neat. The sense ‘free from deductions’ is first recorded in late Middle English.